Normative educational philosophy examines what education should entail, focusing on goals, values, and effective teaching methods to shape student development. Key thinkers like Plato, Dewey, and Kant have influenced its evolution, leading to major schools such as perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, reconstructionism, and existentialism, each interpreting normative education differently. Despite its contributions, this philosophy faces criticisms regarding its practicality, cultural bias, and the imposition of a single worldview, highlighting the need for adaptability in contemporary educational contexts.

1. NORMATIVE
EDUCATIONAL
PHILOSOPHY
By: Group 2

2. 2
TOPICS TO BE
DISCUSSED
Introduction
Major Schools of the Philosophy
Application in Education
Criticisms

3. WHAT IS NORMATIVE
EDUCATIONAL
PHILOSOPHY?

4. Normative educational philosophy focuses
on what education should be like,
including the goals, values, and methods
that guide teaching and learning.
It explores what is important to teach and
how to teach it effectively to shape
students' development.
Essentially, it answers questions about the
ideal purpose and approach of education.

5. Although Normative Educational
Philosophy doesn't have a single
founder, it has been shaped by many
influential thinkers throughout history.
Key figures include Plato, who believed
education should develop virtue and
wisdom; John Dewey, who emphasized
education as a tool for democracy and
social progress; and Immanuel Kant,
who focused on moral development
through education.
These philosophers, along with others,
contributed to defining what education
should aim for and how it should be
practiced.

6. 6
MAJOR SCHOOLS
INVOLVED

7. SOME MAJOR SCHOOLS INVOLVED
ARE THE FOLLOWING:
THESE 5 ARE CONSIDERED TO
BE ONES WHO EMBODY THE
NORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL
PHILOSOPHY THE MOST
ALTHOUGH EACH SCHOOL
DIFFERS FROM EACH OTHER ON
HOW THEY INTERPRET THE
NORMATIVE EDUCATION
APPROACH.
7
PERENNIALISM
ESSENTIALISM
PROGRESSIVISM
RECONSTRUCTIONISM
EXISTENTIALISM

8. 8
PERENNIALISM
Perennialism is a normative
educational philosophy that
advocates for the teaching
of timeless knowledge,
enduring truths, and classic
works of civilization. It is
based on the belief that
certain ideas and principles
have stood the test of time
and are therefore essential
for students to learn to
develop their intellectual
and moral faculties.
Following Key Principles:
• TIMELESS TRUTHS
• INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
• MORAL EDUCATION
• TEACHER-CENTERED APPROACH
• FOCUS ON CLASSICALS

9. 9
ESSENTIALISM
Essentialism is a normative educational
philosophy that emphasizes the
teaching of foundational knowledge and
skills deemed essential for all students.
Rooted in the belief that there is a core
body of knowledge and intellectual skills
that students must master to become
productive, responsible citizens,
essentialism advocates for a structured,
disciplined, and teacher-centered
approach to education.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF
ESSENTIALISM ARE:
• CORE KNOWLEDGE AND
SKILLS
• TEACHER CENTERED
• DISCIPLINE AND ORDER
• RIGOROUS ACADEMIC
STANDARDS
• PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

10. 10
PROGRESSIVISM​
Progressivism is a normative educational philosophy that
emphasizes experiential learning, student-centered
instruction, and the development of critical thinking skills.
This philosophy is grounded in the belief that education
should focus on the whole child, including their emotional,
social, and intellectual development. Progressivism arose
in response to more traditional, authoritarian forms of
education, advocating for a more democratic, inclusive,
and flexible approach to teaching and learning.
KEY PRINCIPLES:
• STUDENT CENTERED
• EXPEIRENCE BASED
• CRITICAL THINKING
• DEMOCRATICE
LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
• INTERGRATED
CURRICULUM

11. 11
RECONSTRUCTIONISM
Constructionism is an educational philosophy that builds
on the foundational ideas of constructivism, which asserts
that learners construct their own understanding and
knowledge of the world through experiences and
reflecting on those experiences.
It is a student-centered philosophy that promotes learning
through hands-on, creative, and project-based activities,
typically involving technology or other interactive tools.
KEY PRINCIPLES
• STUDENT CENTERED
• LEARNING BY MAKING
• ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT
• SOCIAL
COLLABORATION
• INTEGRATED USE OF
TECHNOLOGY

12. 12
EXISTENTIALISM
KEY PRINCIPLES ARE:
• EMPHASIS ON CHOICE
• INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PATHS
• EXPERIENCE BASED LEARNING
• AUTHENTICITY
Existentialism as a normative educational
philosophy is rooted in the ideas of
existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre,
Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and
Martin Heidegger.
Existentialist education is often characterized
by its focus on the individual learner,
promoting an environment where students
can explore their own values, beliefs, and
identities. The goal is to empower students
to make meaningful choices and to take
responsibility for those choices.

13. 13
CRITICISMS ON NORMATIVE
EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY
Despite its contributions,
normative educational
philosophy faces several
criticisms.
These critiques primarily
revolve around its perceived
abstractness, lack of
practicality, cultural bias, and
potential to stifle
individuality.
• LACK OF PRACTICALITY
• CULTURAL BIAS
• IMPOSITION OF SINGLE WORLDVIEW
• RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
• OVEREMPHASIS ON IDEALS VS
REALITY

14. 14
CONCLUSION
Normative educational philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping the aims and ideals of
education, offering a framework for understanding what education ought to achieve for
individuals and society. It provides educators, policymakers, and scholars with guiding
principles for cultivating ethical, intellectual, and social values in students.
However, despite its strengths, normative educational philosophy also faces challenges.
It is often criticized for being too abstract and idealistic, sometimes disconnected from
the practical realities of diverse educational contexts. Additionally, it can reflect cultural
biases and may be slow to adapt to the changing needs of modern societies. There is
also the risk of imposing a single worldview, stifling individuality and creativity in the
pursuit of predefined educational goals.
Overall, normative educational philosophy continues to offer valuable insights for
shaping educational policy and practice, particularly in its emphasis on ethical
development, critical thinking, and human flourishing. However, its application must be
flexible, inclusive, and responsive to the complexities of contemporary educational
systems, ensuring that it serves both individual needs and societal goals in a balanced
and meaningful way.

15. THANK YOU
Christian Roy B. Libao
Mary Leony Petty Jen A. Loyola
Marjorie M. Pejoto
Angelica G. Berondo